Netflix probably isn’t streaming 4K on your PC — here’s how to fix that
Not 4K is not okay
Story byNapier Lopez
Napier Lopez is a writer based in New York City. He’s interested in all things tech, science, and photography related, and likes to yo-yo in(show all)Napier Lopez is a writer based in New York City. He’s interested in all things tech, science, and photography related, and likes to yo-yo in his free time. Follow himon Twitter.
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How to check if you’re watching 4K
If you’re not sure what resolution Netflix is displaying on your system, there’s an easy way to check.
Open Netflix, and type in ‘test patterns.’ This will take you to a series of video collections named… Test Patterns. Play any of the videos and on the top right corner, you’ll see the resolution the video is streaming at. We’re looking for 3840 x 2160 here.
Alternatively, open any 4K video on Netflix and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D to see what resolution is currently being displayed, as well as a bunch of other information. Keep in mind it might take a few seconds for the 4K stream to actually load, depending on your connection speed.
Some basics
It also goes without saying you can only watch 4K content if it’s actually available in 4K. So make sure the shows you’re watching have that 4K label before you fret about burry content. You also need to have your streaming quality set to ‘Auto’ or ‘High.’
Oh, and you need to be actually paying for the 4K tier, of course, though this guide is also helpful if you want to watch 1080p footage, as in most cases, Netflix will default to 720p on PC.
You need the right hardware
Here’s the hardware you’ll need onWindows:
On Mac, similar display requirements apply, but you’ll also need hardware using theTitan T2chip or anApple Siliconprocessor.
You need the right browser (or app)
With the vast majority of browsers, Netflix is limited to 720p.
If you’re on Windows you can only access 4K footage with Microsoft Edge or theofficial Netflix appfrom the Windows Store. Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, and all other browsers are all limited to 720p or less. Gross.
You also need to be on Windows 10 or later — Windows 11 if you want access to HDR.
Lastly —and this is crucial — you need the HEVC codec. While some PCs include this by default, others will have to pony up a dollar to access it. It’s available from theMicrosoft Store.
If you’re on Mac, life’s a bit simpler. You just need to be using Safari on macOS 11 Big Sur or later.
Once you have everything in order, you should be able to load up Netflix and pick content that’s definitely in 4K; if you’re tired of test patterns, most Netflix Originals should be available in 4K. Hit Ctrl+Shift+Alt+D, check your resolution is correct, and you should be good to go.
Troubleshooting
Unfortunately, sometimes following all the above rules just doesn’t work.
Here are some things to keep in mind that might help:
If all else fails, it might just be easier to buy a Chromecast or other dongle for watching 4K on your monitor. It’s unfortunate, but they tend to be less of a hassle for getting 4K to actually work.
Good luck, fellow pixel peeper.
